The eight-month study spanned over 3,800 patients receiving telehealth-based opioid addiction care and found that those with in-network insurance benefits had successful six-month retention rates 50% greater than those required to pay cashThe study calls attention to the detrimental effects Medicaid redeterminations pose to beneficiaries receiving opioid use disorder treatment and the need for commercial health insurers to increase functional coverage for life-saving treatmentNEW YORK, March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ophelia , an opioid addiction care provider, today shared the results of its latest patient study, which observed retention rates for both in-network and cash-pay patients receiving telehealth-based opioid treatment (TBOT). Published in Health Affairs , the peer-reviewed study found that patients receiving opioid treatment via in-network insurance overwhelmingly (72.3%) stayed in treatment for at least 180 days in comparison to those who were either out-of-network or uninsured and paying for treatment with cash. Results highlight how insurance status impacts treatment retention rates and that not having in-network benefits can create a significant financial hurdle to receiving quality, life-saving care.Conducted from January to September 2022, the study analyzed 3,842 patients – 1,613 in-network patients and 2,229 cash-pay patients – with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving evidence-based medications for OUD treatment via telehealth from Ophelia. The study aimed to understand the relationship between insurance status, payment source, and outcomes among patients with OUD on telehealth platforms and any unintended impacts of post-pandemic Medicaid policy changes.The study results highlighted a disparity in treatment retention rates that was simply not a difference between insured and uninsured patients. Patients who had to pay cash, even if insured (because their plan was out of network), had significantly worse retention, undermining the progress they could otherwise be making in their health and OUD treatment plan. In-network patients were predominantly Medicaid beneficiaries; patients who were insured but out-of-network or uninsured paid a flat $195 monthly fee

Ophelia's partnerships with major New York health insurers give over 600,000 people access to evidence-based opioid addiction treatmentNew York State Department of Health's Opioid Quarterly Report showed a 14% increase in overdose deaths involving opioids in 2021 compared to 2020Medicaid coverage, insurance coverage, and financial hardship are top barriers to safe and effective addiction care for opioid usersNEW YORK, May 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ophelia , an opioid addiction care provider, today announced a partnership with health insurer MVP Healthcare , further expanding access to its evidence-based medication-assisted treatment via telehealth across New York state. As a result of these partnerships, access to Ophelia is now available to MVP Healthcare's members in New York, including their Medicaid members. Medicaid patients are historically underserved and face many hurdles to accessing high-quality and safe opioid use disorder (OUD) care services.Medication-assisted treatment, known as MAT , is considered to be the most effective treatment for OUD and involves the use of both medications and counseling or behavioral therapies. Research shows that MAT reduces overdoses by 76% and ER visits by 32%, yet two of three programs do not include a medication-assisted component in treatment plans.Nearly 80% of Americans living with OUD do not receive any form of treatment. When people do seek treatment, it's typically required that they visit a provider in person at a clinic to receive a prescription, which can be burdensome for many people. Ophelia's treatment model lowers barriers for people to receive life-saving OUD support, allowing them to receive treatment in the privacy of their homes

The DEA's extension continues access to lifesaving treatment for people struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD)Opioid overdose is the #1 cause of death for Americans under 50.NEW YORK, May 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Opioid addiction treatment provider Ophelia applauds the DEA's "Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications" that was issued yesterday . The temporary rule maintains continued access to lifesaving care for current and future patients undergoing OUD treatment via telehealth.The newly issued temporary rules will go into effect on May 11, 2023, when the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) officially expires. The rule extends the full set of telemedicine flexibilities enacted during the PHE for another six months until November 11th, 2023. Patients who have established a relationship with a telemedicine provider by that date will have 12 months to complete a physical exam in order to remain in care. Earlier this year, the DEA announced proposed rules that were far more restrictive but received an astounding 38,000+ comments from the medical community, advocacy groups, patients, and families. The DEA will use the 6-month extension to review these comments and incorporate them into a revised final rule.Ophelia provides medication-assisted treatments (MAT) for opioid use disorder, the gold standard of care according to the CDC, AMA, and SAMHSA